Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in two tribal populations of the sub-Himalayan region of India: ethnic and rural-urban differences

Abstract

This study was undertaken to estimate prevalence of metabolic syndrome in traditional societies in the sub-Himalayan region and to assess the impact of modernization on the risk to the syndrome. Two tribal populations-Toto and Bhutia-with a shared ancestry and habitat were selected. Some Bhutians have adopted a modern lifestyle. The study design permitted assessment of the relative roles of lifestyle and genetic factors in influencing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Our study has revealed that metabolic syndrome (or its contributing variables) can be a major health problem, even in traditional rural ethnic groups, indicating that this syndrome is not necessarily a result of modernization or urbanization. Dyslipidemia seems to be the major contributor to metabolic syndrome. Further, our study indicates that genetic factors that adversely affect the levels of such variables have long antiquities in Indian ethnic groups. We find that there is an additional adverse impact of adoption of urban lifestyles (perhaps primarily mediated through dietary changes) on metabolic syndrome.